This Cacio e Pepe recipe is a classic Italian pasta dish that only requires 4 ingredients and 20 minutes to prepare. It’s perfect for busy weeknights!
Whenever I want to switch up spaghetti night, I turn to this Cacio e Pepe recipe. The combination of the ingredients creates a creamy and flavorful sauce that coats the pasta perfectly.
And you can’t beat easy! It’s a great option for a quick and easy weeknight meal. Serve it with a simple salad, crusty bread and a glass of wine for the adults for a complete meal.
Why You’ll Love This Italian Dish Recipe
- Packed with flavor!
- Quick Preparation in under 30 minutes for a gourmet-worthy dish on your table.
- Simple ingredients of common pantry staples that can easily be found in most kitchens.
- Authentic Italian taste!
Cacio e Pepe Ingredients and Substitutions
- Pasta: I used spaghetti in this recipe, but you can use any long pasta such as bucatini or fettuccine.
- Cheese: The star of this dish is Pecorino Romano cheese and Parmesan cheese. If you can’t find Pecorino Romano, you can substitute it with Parmigiano Reggiano or a combination of both.
- Seasoning: Freshly cracked black pepper is a must for this recipe. It adds a spicy and aromatic flavor to the dish. You can adjust the amount of pepper to your liking.
Recipe Variations
- Add some bacon for a savory kick.
- Make it gluten free by swapping regular pasta for gluten free pasta.
- Toss in some freshly chopped herbs like parsley or basil right before serving.
- Incorporate roasted cherry tomatoes for a pop of sweetness that balances out the rich cheese and pepper combination.
- Use other types of long pasta like bucatini or fettuccine.
- Add some protein such as chicken or shrimp.
How to Make Cacio e Pepe
Heat a large pot of salted water over high heat and cook your spaghetti noodles al dente, about 10 minutes. Do not drain.
Add ground pepper to a large shallow pan and heat over medium heat for about a minute or until fragrant.
Add in ¼ of a cup of pasta water to the pan with black pepper. Add in one cup of the pecorino cheese and ¼ cup of the parmesan cheese.
Mix thoroughly. The cheese will be stringy, keep mixing until sauce is smooth. Can add in an additional ¼ cup of pasta water if it’s not creamy enough.
Drain the pasta water from the noodles. Add the cooked noodles to the sauce and toss to coat.
Sprinkle the remaining cheeses over top of the noodles to garnish and serve.
Recipe Tips
- Use block cheese and grate finely to ensure it melts smoothly into a creamy sauce.
- Cook your pasta until al dente for that ideal texture – it should have a slight bite when you taste it.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining; this starchy liquid will help bind the sauce together later on.
- Add cheese slowly when mixing with pasta water while stirring vigorously.
- Toss quickly with cheese off heat to avoid overcooking and curdling.
Storing & Reheating
- To Store: Place leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Add a splash or two of water and reheat to desired temperature in the microwave or stove top.
More Pasta Recipes
Recipe
Cacio e Pepe
Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti noodles
- 1 ¼ cup pecorino cheese shredded
- ½ cup parmesan cheese shredded
- ¾-1 Tablespoon black pepper depending on taste
Instructions
- Heat a large pot of salted water over high heat and cook your spaghetti noodles al dente, about 10 minutes. Do not drain.
- Add ground pepper to a large shallow pan and heat over medium heat for about a minute or until fragrant.
- Add in ¼ of a cup of pasta water to the pan with black pepper. Add in one cup of the pecorino cheese and ¼ cup of the parmesan cheese.
- Mix thoroughly. The cheese will be stringy, keep mixing until sauce is smooth. Can add in an additional ¼ cup of pasta water if it’s not creamy enough.
- Drain the pasta water from the noodles. Add the cooked noodles to the sauce and toss to coat.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheeses over top of the noodles to garnish and serve.
Notes
- To Store: Place leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Add a splash or two of water and reheat to desired temperature in the microwave or stove top.
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